The Volunteers began the game on a 17-0 run holding MSU scoreless for over six minutes to start the game. The Bulldogs were never able to recover falling 75-59 having to settle for a share of the SEC Western Division title.

"Give Tennessee credit, they came in here and it very obvious that they hit us in the mouth early and we didn't get up and respond very well," said MSU head coach Rick Stansbury. "We got down 17-0 the first five minutes and 30 seconds. It happened so quick that we couldn't stop it."

The Vols made seven of their first 11 shots of the game improving to 11-5 in conference play and 23-7 overall.

"If you are going to win on the road, you are going to have to play well early," said Tennessee head coach Bruce Pearl. "Obviously we did and took a great crowd out of the game. I think our depth was a factor in the sense that they just didn't have the depth to expend the kind of energy you need to mount a second half rally."

Tennessee finished the game shooting 50-percent from the floor and outrebounded the Bulldogs 46-30 for the game. The Vols also outscored State in the paint 48-20 and 24-11 off the bench.